01/01/2023 – New Year’s Day Score – Ninewells

01/01/2023 – New Year’s Day Score – Ninewells
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01/101/2023 - 2023 New Year's Day Score - Ninewells

We return to Ninewells for the second time in the last few months, this time based at the far end of the map from last time, for our traditional New Year's Day 60 minute Score race.

As usual for a Forestry England area, please pay particular attention to the bio-security measures set out below, and comply with them. We will provide dry brush cleaning stations at Assembly and after the Finish.

Entries will open on Fabian4.co.uk shortly, and you need tp pre-enter by midnight on Friday 30th December. Please try not to leave it to the last minute to enter. Enter Online

Bio-Security

Please pay particular attention to the following requirement from Forestry England:

Our forests are at risk from pests and diseases. They can spread rapidly and have a devastating impact on our landscapes. Help keep the forest healthy by ensuring all boots, buggies and bikes are free of mud, leaves twigs or bark before traveling to another area of woodland.

Read more on how you can help stop the spread of diseases in our forests at:

https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/biosecurity-advice-forest-visitors

Officials

Organiser/Planner: Gary Wakerley Queries? Email Gary

Directions and Parking

Parking is on a forest track, signed off the B4136 Micheldean to Monmouth Road at:
What 3 Words:  ///trickled.encounter.pounds
Grid Reference: -  SO598141

There are two side roads off the A4136 at this point; you need to take the smaller, more westerly one, to get to the entry to the parking track on your right about 150 after the turn. That is, the first road approaching from the Monmouth direction, the second if coming from the East/Micheldean

Click on the running man on the map below, and then the Direction icon icon to get directions to the course.

The Area

The usual Forest of Dean mix of coniferous and deciduous woodland, with extensive tracks, not all mapped. Runnability is generally good, though there are areas of brambles and brashings. There are two distinct parts to the area, split by the small settlement of Edge End, which you will pass through on your course. Although very quiet residential roads, care must be taken when running on or crossing these. The area in use is bounded on one side by the A4136, which is marked out of bounds.

The Map

The map is printed at 1:10,000, on waterproof paper, with control descriptions on the front.

Start and Finish

Start and Finish locations are adjacent to Assembly.

Courses

This is a standard 60 minute Score race, with a near-mass start. You will dib the start box, be issued with a map, and set off, and we will process people through this sequence as fast as we can.

Controls will have varying points values, the points being shown with the control descriptions, and generally with higher points for higher numbered controls. The penalty for late return is 10 points per minute or part minute.

The course includes a number of easy controls, of Yellow standard, for young runners and those looking for an easy morning perhaps after a heavy New Year's Eve.

We will use SI Timing, in contact and touch free modes. All runners must however punch the Start and Finish controls.

Timing and Fees

There will be a mass start at 11:00, consistent with a punching start and map issue.

Fees Pre-entry Entry on the Day Non-member Supplement
Adults £7 £10 £2
Juniors £3 £4 £1
Family (2 adults + their children) £16 £20 As above for any non-members

SI dibber hire: Standard dibber £1 Adults, Juniors free

Touch Free dibber: £2 Adults, £1 Juniors

Enter via Fabian4.co.uk by midnight on Friday 30th December.

Enter Online

Entry on the day is possible only while maps last, but note the premium price to discourage this. We should by then be able to accept credit/debit card payments, but this is not guaranteed so bring cash just in case.

Refunds

As the Government has removed all restrictions on events and activities, COVID related refunds are no longer available. The standard Fabian4 terms and conditions offer an automatic refund up to 2 months before the event date, and we do not normally vary this specification. That means that in most cases no refunds are possible, as we do not publish details until less than 2 months before the date of the event.

However, for all except large events we hold entries open until only a day or so before the event, so you can delay entry if unsure whether you can run, until very close to event day.

Dogs

Dogs are permitted. Note however, that the course includes Edge End village, with its residential lanes, and has the busy A4136 adjacent to it. Dogs must be kept under close control. There is always a possibility in the forest of encounters with deer and wild boar.

Facilities

The NGOC cafe may be present, subject to confirmation.

Safety

Orienteering is an adventure sport. All runners take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.

The A4136 is out of bounds, and route choice will typically involve an unmanned crossing of a minor road, within a housing estate at Edge End. Children must be advised to take care in the village, though the lanes are very quiet and only feed a few houses.

A risk assessment has been completed, and a copy will be held at Enquiries and Download in case competitors wish to consult it before their run.

A first aid kit and trained first aiders will be available at Enquiries and Download.

Living with COVID

As from 24 February:

  • You are not legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. You should, however, stay at home if you can and avoid contact with other people.
  • You do not have to take daily tests, nor are you legally required to self-isolate following contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Nevertheless, although all legal restrictions have ceased, you should NOT attend if you are Covid positive, or suspect you are, and everyone attending should continue taking sensible precautions, such as avoiding close contact, particularly around the Start, Finish, and Assembly.